Trump (R) Signed an Executive Order Friday, targeting Nations that Wrongfully Detain Americans, as a Ploy for gaining Leverage over the U.S. Government.
Under the New Measures, modeled on Designations for State Sponsors of Terrorism, Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) would be given Authority to Impose Penalties, Export Controls, and Travel Restrictions, on Governments and Individuals in Countries that hold U.S. Citizens without Justification, Officials said.
In an Unusual turn for an Issue long seen as Standing above Politics, Trump and other Administration Officials sharply Criticized the Biden (D) Administration during the Oval Office Event, stating without Evidence that more U.S. Nationals had been wrongfully Detained than Freed under previous Presidents.
“If they respect you and they respect your country, they release. And if they don’t, then you have to pay $6 billion,” Trump said, apparently referring to an Agreement made with Iran in 2023, that involved the Release of Frozen Iranian Oil Funds. Former Officials and Advocates for Americans Imprisoned Abroad say this is a Fraught, Complex Issue that has Challenged Democratic and Republican Administrations.
A Senior Administration Official said: Afghanistan, China, and Iran, would be Reviewed as the New Policy takes effect. The Official would Not say whether Russia also would be Considered. “We are going to cripple their economic systems,” the Official said, adding that the aim is to Prevent Wrongful Detentions altogether.
The Executive Order also described potential Travel Restrictions for U.S. Passport Holders seeking to Visit Countries on the State Department List. The National Iranian American Council said that such a Move would amount to “Collective Punishment” for Diaspora Populations.
The State Department does Not Publicize the Number of Wrongfully Detained Americans. The "Foley Foundation", a Nonprofit which Tracks the Issue, said there are at least 40 U.S. Nationals held Hostage or Wrongfully Detained around the World in 14 Countries, including: Afghanistan, China, Iran, and Russia. That List includes some People being Held under ExitBbans, which Prohibit them from Leaving a Foreign Nation. The State Department does Not include them in its Count, said Elizabeth Richards, Director of Hostage Advocacy and Research at the Foundation.
Since His First term, Trump has emphasized His Efforts to Bring Home U.S. Citizens who were Wrongfully Detained Abroad. At the Inaugural U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day in March, Trump said He had “no higher obligation than to keep American citizens free, safe, and secure.”
While those Efforts have yielded some Significant Successes, Former Officials have Accused the Trump Administration of Politicizing what they said should be a Nonpartisan Issue and Rushing some Cases without First Investigating them Thoroughly. In at least One Case, the U.S. inadvertently Secured the Release of Someone who was Not Designated asWwrongfully Detained. In July, Dahud Hanid OrtÃz, who was Serving a Prison Sentence in Venezuela, after being Convicted of a Triple Murder in Spain, was Returned to the U.S. as part of a High-Profile Swap with Caracas.
Trump Administration Officials have repeatedly Claimed that the Biden (D) Administration was Unable to Secure the Release of enough Hostages, and on Friday suggested without Evidence that 20 more People were taken Prisoner than Rescued during Biden’s Term. “We are drawing a very clear delineation today, a line in the sand. You will not use Americans as bargaining chips, and there will be severe consequences for anyone who thinks that which was done under the Biden regime can continue under the second Trump administration,” a Second Senior Administration Official told Reporters ahead of the President’s Announcement.
According to a Tally of available Data maintained by the "Foley Foundation", 47 U.S. Nationals were Released during the First Trump Administration, compared to 77 U.S. Nationals Released during the Biden Administration. Not All Releases are announced Publicly, however. The Trump Administration says that it has Secured the Release of 72 Americans since Jan. 20th, when Trump returned to Office. Richards, of the "Foley Foundation", said that figure includes both People designated Wrongfully Detained and “cases of concern,” a Broader Category.
“It is imperative this issue retains bipartisan support,” Richards added. “It’s a good day whenever an American returns home, and we want any administration in office to know they have the backing of the American people to make the tough decisions that will bring hostages home.” Paul Whelan, a Marine Veteran Incarcerated for more than Five years in Russia, after an Espionage Conviction that U.S. Officials have called a deliberate Trap, said He welcomed the News, but that more needed to be done.
“It is a good start and would be a powerful deterrent if truly enforced against rogue regimes such as China and Russia,” said Whelan, who was Freed in a Prisoner Swap with Russia, under the Biden Administration in 2024. “The president should add the securing of compensation for those truly wrongfully detained and use frozen assets from the rogue regimes for that purpose,” He added, noting that while U.S. Oficials work hard on Securing the Release of Wrongfully detained People, there is little Aftercare.
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